The Southern Tyrol is both a historical, geological and geographical wonder. It is currently Italian in status, Austrian in historically and out of time for the present. I like it's confused nature, this is how I think Europe used to be before someone rubber stamped national stereotypes across the continent. Nominally Italian, really Austrian. I'll ( Read more... )

This may come has some surprise to readers of this journal but I have successfully done nothing for the past couple of days. That's right, since about the 30th I have not lifted a muscle outside of getting to the pub, shops, cinema or other mundane activities. I did prep my road bike for a bash this morning but after a late night failing to ( Read more... )

Trying to find an open coffee shop which is not one of the big three (Starbucks, Costas and Nero, in order of size) with wiffy seems to be quite difficult. I'm guessing it might have something to do with the recession with the big stores staying open because they can afford to, the tiny coffee shops being open because they have to, and the medium ( Read more... )

Today was one of 'those' Mondays. You can see Monday just sitting on the side sniggering at you as it throws another obstacle in your path. I did start to get annoyed when I stood for 20 minutes (being snowed on) waiting for the bus, the last one incidentally taunted me by driving away very slowly as I arrived at the bus stop. But you know what? I ( Read more... )

Had an email in letting me know that entries for the Tranent Sprint Triathlon are now open. I have four months until the 26th of March and that will be the start of the race season. My main objectives for 2011 will be the X Tri Series of four races ( Read more... )

Take my last post and amend the depth to 14-15 inches (35-37.5cm). The roads aren't too much of an issue at the moment, but one jack-knifed lorry or skidded bus and the entire place will fall apart. Speculation is running rampant as to how regular this will occur; last year was similar and this year is worse. Simply a case of two 'bad winters' ( Read more... )

Here they are!

If I were a superstitious man then I say that every time i'm pessimistic then the exact opposite happened; when we used to roleplay I used to 'i'll strike a might blow' and i'd miss. If i said 'i've only got this useless rotten stick of a staff and it'll hardly bounce off let alone hurt', i'd cut the enemy in half ( Read more... )

At 4.45 my mood swapped to 'out of office' and resentment tinged the documents i crafted. Each done in a miserly manner like each second was gold paid. Out of the office and standing in the cold i fidgeted with equal impatience and longing to be away from this place, not so much because i dislike it but for what it stands for in mind; inactivity, ( Read more... )

If I had one thing i'd like to have differently this weekend then it would be to really 'push the boat out' for halloween. Decided at the last minute to go to some parties and wasn't really too geared up for it until I made a jack o lantern. I've never actually carved one and it's a surprisingly therapeutic experience, took a couple of minutes to ( Read more... )